Universal link



Dec. 2, 1952 c. w. KAMPFER UNIVERSAL LINK Filed March 18, 1950 Charles Wfiam ofer Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNIVERSALLlNK Charles W. Kampfer, St. Paul, Minn. Application March 18, 1950,Serial No. 150,367

6 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in universal link wherein it isdesired to provide a conventional chain so constructed that it may turnin any desired direction.

In the use of conveyors designed for conveying milk bottles and thelike, it is desirable that the links of the chain be so constructed asto permit the chain to change direction from time to time. The chainusually is of the endless type and is actuated by sprockets over whichthe chain extends. It is desirable that the chain not only be able toextend around these sprockets, but it is also desirable that the chainmay be flexible in other directions. The present invention relates to animproveduniversal link of this type. In my previous Patent No.1,893,141, issued January 3, 1933, I disclosed a link of somewhatsimilar form to that of the present invention. The links includedU-shaped bodies which were slotted horizontally and vertically in such amanner that the horizontal slots extended into the links from one endthereof and the vertical slots extended into the links from the oppositeend thereof. The links were connected by connecting pivots having avertical pivot at one end and a horizontal pivot at its other end. Thepresent invention shows an improved manner of constructing theseuniversal links and an improved manner in manufacturing the connectingpivots so that the links may be more easily detached when desired.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of aconventional chain composed of universal links having platform piecesconnected to one side of each link. from a support for the bottles orother articles conveyed by the chain.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a conveyorchain having platform pieces secured to the upper surface of each link,the platform pieces interfitting to provide a substantially continuoussupport.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of aconveyor chain connected by connecting pivot members having rightangularly arranged pivots, one of which is removable.

An added feature of the invention lies in the specific manner in whichthe links are designed so as to be removable without the use of tools.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth inthe following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

These platform pieces Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of chainshowing the construction thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a series of links forming theconveyor chain.

Figure 3 is a vertical section centrally and longitudinally through apair'of connected conveyor chain links.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the blank of which one of the linksis partially formed.

Figure 5 is an elevation view of a portion of one of the connectingpivot members for connecting adjacent links.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the device trated in Figure 5. v

Figure 7 is a plan view of a pivot used in conjunction with the pivotmembers illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is an elevation view of the pivot member shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an end view of the pivot shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The conveyor chain illustrated in the drawings illusis composed of aseries of links A, each of which is identical in form. Each link ispreferably formed of an elongated strip 10 of stainless steel or othersuitable material. Each strip I0 is preferably formed as illustrated inFigure 4 of the drawings and includes an elongated slot H midway betweenthe ends thereof and a relatively shorter slot I2 near each end of thestrip. The slots I! and I2 are aligned. One edge of the strip Illprojects above the level of the remainder of the strip as indicated at[3 so as to form a support for the platform piece which will be laterdescribed in detail.

The strip Iii illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings is bent intoU-shaped form, the bend being located at the center part of the link sothat entire bent end of the link is slotted by the slot H. The two slotsl2 are parallel and in opposed relationship, the ends of the strip beingparallel on either side of the center bend.

A platform piece [4 is brazed, welded, or otherwise secured to the uppersurface of the bent strip Ill to form a support for articles beingconveyed. As indicated in Figure 1 each platform strip IA is rounded atone end as indicated at E5 and is notched at its other end along asimilar curve as indicated at I6 so as to accommodate the roundedforward end of the next adjacent link. The platform pieces l4 are spacedslightly apart to permit the conveyor chain to bend slightly in anupward direction and to provide clearance between adjacent links. Itwill be noted, however, that the rounded forward end I5 of one linkextends beyond portions of the notched opposite end I6 of the nextadjacent link so that portions of the two platform pieces overlap.

It will also be noted from Figure 1 of the drawings that the roundedforward end of each platform piece I4 has as its center of curvature,the center of the bent end of the link strip I0. When the individuallinks bend laterally about a vertical pivot, the center of pivotalmotion coincides with the center of curvature of the bent or folded endof the link strip I0. The platform plates I4 are curved along a similarcenter so as to remain in proper relationship regardless of theangularity therebetween.

The connecting elements connecting the vari ous links are bestillustrated in detail in Figures 5 through 9 of the drawings. Eachconnecting member includes a vertical pivot I! which is rounded alongits inner surface as indicated at I9 on a radius of curvature slightlyless than the radius of curvature of the bent strip I0. Thus the roundedvertical surface I9 bearsv against the inner surface of the rounded endof the link strip I0 in folded condition of' this strip. 'When one ofthe links A pivots relative to the other link along a vertical axis, therounded surface I9 of the connecting member slides over the roundedinner surface of the bent end'of the link.

The vertical pivot I1 is connected along a lon- U gitudinally extendingconnecting portion 20 to a ring or bearing 2|. This ring or bearing 2Iis provided with an elongated aperture 22 therethrough. The aperture 22is somewhat oval in shape and its vertical dimension is greater than itslongitudinal dimension.

A transverse pivot 23 which is used in conjunction with the connectingmember 24 just described, is best shown in Figures 7 through 9 of thedrawings. This pivot 23 includes a center portion 25 and opposite endportions 25. The end portions 26. are cylindrical in form and serve aspivots about which the links may pivot. The central portion 25 is Wellin cross section to fit the slot 22 in the connecting member end 2|. Asillustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, the Oval or elongatedshape of the center portion 25 provides shoulders 27 ateither end of thecenter portion 25 for a purpose which will now be described.

It will be noted that the slot 22 of the connecting member is elongatedin a vertical direction. The slots I2 of the link strips II] are of aheight slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical ends 28 ofthe pivot 23. In other words, the pivot ends 23 fit snugly in the slotsI2 without excessive play. The slots I2 are not of sufficient height,however, to accommodate the oval center portion 25 of the pivot. Thuswhen the pivots 23 are in place, the shoulders 21 on either end of thecenter portion 25 abut against the inner surfaces of the link sidesabove and below the slots I 2 and are held in place thereby.

Obviously the center portions 25 of the links 23 need not be oval incross section. These portions of the link do not pivot relative to thering shaped member 2 I; in which they are engaged so that the centerportions 25 could be rectangular in cross section or some other suchshape as long as the structure provided shoulders, such as 21 above andbelow the cylindrical pivot end portions 25 so asto prevent or limitlongitudinal sliding of the pivots when engaged.

In assembling the links of the conveyor chain, the connecting members 24are turned. at right angles to their normal position illustrated inFigures 2 and 3 of the drawings so that the oval center portion 25 Ofthe pivot extends longitudinally of the slot I2. The connecting portion24 illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings is held between thespaced ends of the link strip II) so that the oval aperture 22 is inregistry with the slots I2. While in this position the pivots 23 may beinserted through the slots I2 and through the aperture 22. The centerportion 25 being enclosed within the aperture 22'. When the connectingmember 24 is swung into longitudinal position as shown in Figures 2 and3, the center portion 25 of the pivot is pivoted out of registry withthe slots I2 so that the shoulders 21 abut against the link strips uponaxial movement of the pivot 23 relative to the links.

Thus it will be seen that the links may be connected or disconnectedwhen arranged at right angles to one another. The vertical pivot I1 isfirst engaged in the rounded end of the link strip II! by turning theconnecting member at right. angles so that the axis of. the pivot I'Iextends longitudinally of the. slot II. The pivot. end I1. of theconnecting member is. inserted through one side of the slot I'I until.the pivot I]. is within the link betweenthe parallel sides thereof. Theconnecting member is next turne'dat right angles. so as to engage'in theroundedend of the link strip as illustrated. After the. pivot end ll. ofeach connecting member has been. connected, to its link, the end 21 isplaced'inregistry Withthe slots I2 and the pivot 23 inserted in themanner previously described.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operatiori of. my universal link construction, andwhile I have endeavoredto set forth the best embodiment thereof, Idesire to have it understood that obvious changes may. be made within.the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

1' claim:

1. A conveyor chain including a series of connected links, each linkincluding a' strip of u shaped form, a slot extending into said stripintermediate the edges thereof, said slot extending through the roundedend of the U toward the other free ends thereof, a connecting memberincluding a pivot engaging. the rounded end of the link on oppositesides'of the slot, a connecting, portion extending through the slot, anda bearing on said connectingportion. having, an aperture ofelongatedsectiona secondjpivot having a center portion removablysupported by .saidbearing and arranged on an axis at right'angles to theaxis of the first named pivot, said. second pivot being provided withshoulders at either end thereof engageable against the sides of thelink.

2. A conveyor chain including. a series of links including a U-shapedbody having a rounded end and parallel sides, a slot extendingthroughsaid rounded end and said parallel sides and extending toward theoppositeend of the body, a connecting memberengaged in ther'oun ded endof the link body, the connecting member including a pivot engageableagainst the rounded end of the bodyon opposite sides of the slot, aconnecting portion extending through the slot, and a bearing supportedby said connected portion, said bearing supporting a secondpivotarranged .on an axis at right angles to the axis of .the first namedpivot, said second pivot having a center portion projecting beyond thecross sectional dimensions of the ends thereof to form shoulders betweenthe center portion and the end portions of the second pivot, saidshoulders being engageable against the parallel portions of the U-shapedlink body of the next adjacent link.

3. The structure described in claim 2 in which the center portion of thesecond pivot is of oval cross section and the ends of the pivot are ofcylindrical cross section.

4. The structure described in claim 2 in which the center portion of thesecond pivot is generally oval in cross section.

5. A universal link for a conveyor chain including a U-shaped bodyhaving a rounded end and parallel side arms, a slot extending into saidlink, said slot extending through the rounded end and into the parallelside arms, a pair of slots through said side arms in aligned relationnear the free ends thereof, a connecting member including a pivotengaging the rounded end of the link body on opposite sides of saidfirst named slot, 2. connecting portion extending through said firstnamed slot, and a bearing portion supported by said connecting portion,a second pivot including a center portion and opposite end portions, thecenter portion extending beyond the dimensions of the end portions toform shoulders between the center portion and the end portions, thecenter portion being removably supported by said bearing portion andsaid end portions being designed for engagement in the pair ofoppositely aligned slots of a second link.

6. A connecting block for a universal link provided with spaced sidewalls having transversely aligned slots therein, the block comprisingoppositely directed trunnions, a perpendicularly extending shank, abearing ring connected to the shank, said ring having an oval aperturewhose axis is perpendicular to the axis of said trunnions and saidshank, and a pivot pin including a central portion having dimensionscomplemental with said oval aperture and receivable thereby andoppositely directed trunnions carried by said central portion, said lastnamed trunnions and the minor dimension of said central portion being ofa size sufficiently small to be received by the slots of said link andthe major dimension of said central portion being of a size too great tobe received by said slots.

CHARLES W. KAMIPFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,058,038 Colley Apr. 8, 19131,893,141 Kampfer Jan. 3, 1933 2,010,124 Worrall Aug. 6, 1935 2,066,723Eggleston et al Jan. 5, 1937 2,118,348 Hoeffleur May 24, 1938 2,365,866D alrymple Dec. 26, 1944 2,490,682 Freeman Dec. 6, 1949

